How to say "notes" in Japanese

• 注釈ちゅうしゃくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbCovers notes in the sense of explanatory comments or annotations added to a text to clarify or explain it; the natural choice for notes accompanying a written work.
  この情報じょうほうは注釈ちゅうしゃくではなく本文ほんぶんで扱あつかうべきだ。↗

  You should treat this information in the main body of the text, not in the notes.
• 草稿そうこうCommon
  nounRefers chiefly to a draft or rough manuscript; as 'notes' it fits rough, preliminary written material produced while preparing a finished text.
  私は演説えんぜつの草稿そうこうを作つくった。↗

  I made a draft of my speech.
• 文書ぶんしょJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounMeans documents, letters, or papers — formal written matter. For 'notes' it is a marginal fit at best: choose it only when 'notes' means a formal document or piece of correspondence.
  この文書ぶんしょはあなたのお目めにだけ留とめていただきたい。↗

  This document is for your eyes only.
• 原稿げんこうJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounMeans a manuscript or draft: the written text of a work as prepared by its author. Its 'notes' sense is written material produced in the course of writing a piece.
  この原稿げんこうは書き直かきなおしたほうがいいな。↗

  I'd better rewrite this paper.

Choose 注釈 for explanatory notes on a text, 草稿 or 原稿 for a writer's rough or prepared written material, and 文書 only when 'notes' means formal documents or papers.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 注釈ちゅうしゃくnotes
• 草稿そうこうnotes
• 文書ぶんしょdocument
• 原稿げんこうmanuscript
• 注意書きちゅういがきnotes
• 備考欄びこうらんnotes
• コンメンタールnotes
• 音譜おんぷmusic
• 注疏ちゅうそ(detailed) commentary
• 控え書きひかえがきmemo
• 留意点りゅういてんpoints to remember
• 筆記ひっき(taking) notes
• 書き入れかきいれentry
• ノーツ(Lotus) Notes (collaborative software platform)